Poughkeepsie residents lament city’s many woes

POUGHKEEPSIE >> High crime, loud noise coming from a city bar, unemployment, a lack of youth programs and bus service problems were among the concerns residents expressed to Poughkeepsie government leaders this week.

Two men were stabbed to death last week, and another man was found dead on a city street. There have been shootings and stabbings in recent months, and city residents want more action by the police department and more programs to keep kids off the streets.

Melissa Whitaker is a mother of four who addressed the Common Council Wednesday night.

“We are losing our children to the street at alarming rates,” Whitaker said. “We are losing family members, we are losing brothers, we are losing cousins, we are losing fathers, and we are losing sons. We need proactive measures, not reactive measures.”

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One man, a former longtime city resident who was back visiting family, said the city “is going to hell in a hand basket” and must correct its ills before it is too late.

Mayor John Tkazyik told residents at the meeting that the city is doing the best it can with the resources it has.

“We are in some very trying times here in the city, here in New York, here in our nation, but we do put our best foot forward, given the abilities and resources that are made available, in order to provide the best public safety and quality of life that we can for what our residents deserve and what they should enjoy,” Tkazyik said.

Some residents who live across from the Log Cabin bar on South Clinton Street told council members Wednesday night that loud music is keeping them up at night.